Nonrefillable closure



May ll, 1937. R. s. slMONS NONREFILLABLE cLosURE Filed Aug. 21. 1936 Yjizz/en for 15, a ymond Jimena' M Jj` u A ff/ E VQM Patented May 11,1937 UNITED STATES PATENT rOFFICEv 16 Claims.

This invention relates to closures for bottles and other containers, andparticularly to such devices for use where it is desired to render abottle or` other container nonrellable.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved closureforbottles and other containers; to provide an improved valve actuatingmeansfor nonrefillable closures; to provide such a means that willobviate vacuum manipulation for either extracting liquid through theclosure or refilling the container through the same; to provide such ameans that may be readily incorporated in many existing meritoriousclosure devices; and to provide a nonrellable closure in which a controlvalve is permanently locked in its closed position upon any attemptedvacuum manipulation.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in theaccompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the closure applied to a bottle neck.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional detail showing the valve in a closedand locked position as a result of vacuum manipulation.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view as taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing theconstruction and arrangement of the closure bafile plug.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 1 showing thearrangement of the valve in detail.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View of the valve illustrating themanner in which it is locked in an expanded closing position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail of the threads shownin Fig. 5.

Numerous ingenious nonrellable closure constructions have beenheretofore devised. However, in substantially all of these devices it ispossible to pass a liquid through the device in either direction whenvacuum means are employed, either for the liquid extraction or fill ingoperation.

The present invention is intended to overcome this difficulty and defectby means of an arrangement and valve operating principle that mayreadily be incorporated in substantially any practical closureconstruction. Thus, for the purpose of illustration, the invention isherein shown as embodied in a closure construction patterned after thedisclosure of Patent No. 2,048,- 699, issued July 28, 1936 to GilbertJackson, since that closure construction is possessed of the advantagesof simplicity, ease and practicability of manufacture, and hence, lowcost.

In the form shown in the drawing, the closure comprises a cylindrical,hollow body I, formed to t into a bottle neck 2, and having an outwardlyprojecting radial flange 3 at its upper end formed I to fit in anannular channel 4 on the inner margin of the bottle neck top opening.The cylindrical body I is formed with three annular chambers ofincreasing diameter upwardly from the lower end of the body, thelowermost chamber 5 communicating with the interior of the bottlethrough the bottom end of the body I, by means of a passage 6. Thesecond or intermediate chamber I is an enlarged continuation ofthechamber 5 and the uppermost chamber 8 is an enlarged continuation of thechamber 'I extending to the top o-f the body I.

A valve, comprising an externally and axially fluted, hollow cylindricalbody 9 as its upper portion and a-cup-shaped valve member Il) as itslower portion, is disposed within the lowermost chamber 5 of the body I,the valve body 9 having an upwardly tapered conical top II and loe--`ing proportioned so that the crestsl of the fluted side wall willslidably engage with the side wall of the chamber 5.

The cup-shaped valveimember I is formed with a split resilient side wallarranged to telescopingly interfit with the open lower end of the hollowbody 9, and is also provided with a downwardly tapered conical endportion I2 which projects from the bottom of the body 9 and is arrangedto seat on a conically tapered valve seat I3 formed at the inner marginof the passageway 6. lIn the telescoping assembly of the valve member`IU with the valve body 9 an enclosed internal pocket or cavity I4 isformed within the valve and within this cavity, which serves as an airchamber, is housed an expansive air bag or sac I which is so designedthat upon a reduction of the surrounding atmospheric pressure inside theclosure body I, the bag or sac I5 Awill expand and Ypush the cup-shapedvalve mem,

ber Ioutwardly from the valve body 9.

l Normally the cup-shaped valve member I0 will beheld in a withdrawnposition in the valve body 9, as shown in Fig. 1, through friction ofthe segments of its resilient side wall upon the inner lwall surface ofthe valve member 9. However,

` upon expansion of the air bag or sac I5, through reduction of thesurrounding atmospheric pressure, the valve portion IU will assume aprojected position as shown in Fig. 2, which has the mechanical eiect oflengthening the valve axially with respect to the closure body I.

In order to provide means to lock the cupshaped valve member Ill4 in itsoutwardly projected position relative to the valve body Si, in the formshown the lower portion of the internal side wall of the body 9 isthreaded or otherwise grooved, as shown in Fig. 5, and the side wall ofthe cup-shaped member I0 is axially split in several places about itsperiphery so that the side wall of the valve member II) will comprise aplurality of resilient ngers I6, which, due to their resiliency willtend to spread outwardly against the inner side wall of the body 9.Also, as shown in Fig. 5, the upper ends of the fingers I6 are formed asoutwardly projecting pawls or detents Il which extend into and engagethe grooves on the inner side wall of the valve body 9. Thus, uponoutward movement of the valve member I0 relative to the valve body 9,under the iniiuence of the expanding air bag I5, the resilient lingersI6 and pawls Il will prevent the valve member I0 being returned to itstelescoped position relative to the body member 9.

As shown in Fig. 5, the threads or grooves preferably progress helicallyinwardly from the open end of the valve body 9, and the crests of thethread teeth thus formed are preferably shaped so as to provide squareshoulders against which the pawls I'I may engage. Also the lower sidesof the said threads are tapered downwardly away from the tips of thepawls I'I at a greater angle relative to the horizontal than the uppersides of the threads taper toward the pawls Il. With this arrangement,as the tips of the pawls Il engage the lower side walls of the threadsthere is a camming action which tends to seat the valve member I Utightly against the valve seat I3 under a constant resilient pressure,even though the atmospheric pressure surrounding the air sac I5 has beenreturned to normal and the air sac has contracted to its normal size.

As shown in Fig. l, the intermediate chamber l of the closure body I,houses a relatively heavy ball, I8, which when the bottle neck is in anupright position rests on the conical top II of the Valve body 9. Abaille plate or upper contact member I9 is seated in the uppermostchamber 8 and its lower surface is provided with a central cavity 2liinto which the ball I8 may drop when the bottle neck is in an invertedposition.

As shown in Fig. 1, the ball I8 is of such size that when the bottleneck is in, an upright position the ball I8 will engage both the inneror lower surface of the baille plate I9 at the margin of the cavity 20and the conical surface II of the valve body 9, so that the valve cannotunseat and open until the 'bottle neck has been substantially inverted.

The baiile plate I9 is provided with a passage ZI at one sidecommunicating with the interior of the intermediate chamber 'I andextending to the top surface of the balile plate; and on the top surfaceis a baffle wall 22 whichV projects upwardly and, in conjunction withthe Wall of the chamber 8, provides a curved passage leading from theopening 2| to the central portion of the plate I9.

The plate I9 is held in place in the upper chamber 8 by means of a plugor cap 23 which lits into the upper end of the chamber 8 and bears uponthe upper edge of the baffle wall 22. The plug 23 is provided with acentral opening 2t and has an outwardly projecting flange 25 which restsupon the flange 3 of the closure body I, the flange 25 being preferablyof the same external diameter as the flange 3.

As shown in Fig. 1 the marginal channel 4 at the upper end of the bottleneck is preferably of such depth as to completely receive both of theilanges 3 and 25.

In the arrangement shown, the plug 23 is locked to the closure body I bymeans of a resilient outwardly expansible split ring 26 which is seatedin a peripheral groove or channel 2l on the plug 23 and engages in anoppositely disposed. channel or groove formed on the inner wall of theclosure body I when the plug 23 is inserted in the open upper end of thebody l.

In operation the closure is applied to the bottle or container neckafter the bottle or container has been filled and the closure iscemented or otherwise secured in the bottle neck in any suitable manner.The top opening 2Q of the closure is then plugged and sealed by anysuitable or convenient means. When it is desired to remove the contentsof the bottle or container the plug. or seal closing the opening 2t isremoved and theI bottle contents can be poured out by simply invertingthe bottle.

When in such inverted position the relatively heavy ball I8 will dropinto the cavity 2e of the contact or baiile plate I and the valve willshift axially in the closure body and unseat to permit the passage ofthe bottle contents, the bottle contents flowing through the passageway6 and over the luted Walls of the valve body Q through the intermediatechamber l and the passage 2| to the upper central position of the bailleplate I9 where it may be readily discharged through top opening 24.

When the bottle is returned to its upright position, the weight of theball I3 against the conical top lI will cause the valve to seat itselfand close the inner passageway 6, thus preventing any refilling of thebottle when the same is in upright position. Should relling of thebottle be attempted when the bottle is in an inverted position byforcing liquid under pressure through the closure means, the hollow,air-filled valve will float on top of the entering liquid column andclose the passageway 6 before any liquid can pass through the same.

Upon any attempt of vacuum manipulation, that is, extracting thecontents from the bottle when in its inverted position by applyingvacuum to the end of the bottle neck or closure, the reduction of thenormal atmospheric pressure within the closure chambers will result inexpansion i outward movement of the `valve member II). y

Such expansion, or outward movement of the -valve member I0 will causethe upper conical portion II of the valve to engage the ball E3 and theconical end I2 of the valve member Ill will engage the conical seat I3at the margin of passageway 5, thus automatically closing the passagewayand preventing any further passage of iuid therethrough.

Because of the locking engagement of the valve member fingers I6 withthe threaded or grooved inner surface of the walls of the valve body 9,the valve will be permanently held in its eX- panded position, thusserving as an indication of the fact that illegal tampering with thebottle closure has been attempted. The bottle will thus be rendered untfor any further use and the practical result will be its ultimatedestruction.

Due to the fact that it is imperative that bottle closures be of a typeand construction wherein there will be no metal that could possibly comeaovegvvs into contactr with the bottle `contents,practical closuredevices must beV "mode" of-mon-met'allic materials. V"I'he ihereinlV'described ``device y-was chosen to illustrate a specic'embodiment ofthis invention `because itlwasbelieved-fthat itis of such form. andconstructionf'that it can `bereadily and cheaply-made from; any' ofseveral wellknown and suitable materials inthe class of plastics, s uchas bakelite and the like.A The heavy Aball -18 may befgiven--suflicientweight by providing a metalliccore and covering the same `rwithnon-metallic material, -however,the metal used must be non-magnetictoprevent any magnetic `manipulation of the ball inforder to defeat itspurpose. I

The Vmain-advantages of this invention are found inthe simplicity of theypneumatic vprin- "ciple upon-which'it is based and in the ease andpracticability of the application `of that principle to numerousexisting` closure construcl VLtions, to render themtamper-proof andabsolutely nonrellable. 'Afurtherladvantage is found in the -factthat in`many closure constructions and arrangements itis vonly necessary to addone element to those already'involved; and

in any case the use or-embodiment of this inbeen devised to prevent therelling of a conftainerpand` particularly a' bottle, after the containerorbottlehas oncebeen emptied, the problem, has -not been `heretoforecompletely solved.

lMany of these-devices are practical in construction and operationinsofar as ordinary manipulation is concerned; however, any personwhocan profitably replace'theoriginal contents of a containerwith someother or` inferior product Cil will Vnot be stoppedby amere matter ofinconvenience or'they time andpat-ience'necessary to accomplish hispurpose. A common method of circumventing" the 'usual nonrellabledevices is by the use of vacuum and none of the mechanisms or valvearrangements heretofore employed has been able to prevent the inseepageof liquid into a container when the container has been first exhaustedof air. The present invention cures this difiiculty not only bypreventing the attempted use of vacuum, but also by enlisting suchVacuum as an aid to block the liquid passage and lock the container.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shownand described, it will be understood that numerous details of theconstruction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from thespirit of this invention as defined by the following claims:

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bodymember having a passageway therethrough for fluid, and valve meansarranged to close said passageway, of means providing an air pocketwithin said body member and arranged to actuate said valve means so asto close said passageway in response to expansion of air in said airpocket, and means to lock said valve means in closed position uponexpansion of air in said air pocket.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bodymember having a passageway therethrough for iiuid, and valve meansarranged to close said passageway, of means providing an enclosed airpocket within said body member subject to surrounding atmospheric lpressure variationslsaid last named meansbeing arranged l to` causeclosure. of said passageway fbysaid valve meansuponexpansion .of air insaid "fair pocket, andjrrneans to l'oclr said valve means inclosedposition:uponrexpansion of air inysad air pocket.` I

3. `In al device lofthe yclass described, the combination with a body.member having a` passage- Awayltherethroughsforiuid; and valve meansarrangeditoxcloseLsaidpassageway, of means providingV an airpocket-'within said body member and arranged to permanently: lock saidvalve means in a .position .closing said passageway upon expansion of.air insaidy air. pocket.

4. In a device of the class described, the cornbination l with, albody.member having a passagewayvtherethrough\for.:iiuid; and valve means.arranged Ito close-saidpassageway, of.. means providingxan. enclosedexpansive air pocket within said body member.Y `subject ,to surroundingatmosphericlpressurenvariations, and means `operable .upon expansion vofzsaidair pocket to permanently..zlockwfsaidy valvemeans in a positionclosing:saidlpassageway. 1

l 5. `Ina-device ofthe class described, the combination with` a bodymember having a passage- -Iway therethrough, lof.v means providing anair chamber'fwithin .said .body member `and having an open end, other`means telescopingly Vtting the open. end of I saidnair. chamber `meansand shiftable outwardly therefrom, ,.upon expansion of airfinsaid airchamber, means. arranged to close said passageway upon shifting of.said:other means, and-detent means to lock said other. means in itsshiftedposition'.'

' 6. `In a `device 'of the class described, the com- -binationwith la`body-member having a passageway therethrough, ofmeans providing an airchamber within said body member having an open end,othermeanstelescopingly fitted into said -open `end of 4saidair Achamberand shiftable outwardly-upon expansion of air in said air chamber,vvmeans arranged to 1 closeA said `passageway upon outward shifting ofsaid other means, and a detent arranged to prevent re-opening of saidpassageway.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bodymember having a passageway therethrough for fluid, of a hollowair-filled expansive member disposed in said passageway and arranged toexpand upon reduction of the atmospheric air pressure in said passagewayand close said passageway against passage of iiuid therethrough, anddetent means operable upon expansion of said expansive member to lockand permanently close said passageway.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bodymember having a passageway therethrough for iiuid, of a shiftable hollowair-lled expansive valve member disposed in said passageway and arrangedto open and close the same, and means to limit the opening movement ofsaid valve member, said valve member being arranged to expand uponexpansion of the air therein and close said passageway.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bodymember having a passage- Way therethrough for fluid and an inlet openinghaving a valve seat, of a hollow air-filled expansive valve memberdisposed in said passageway and axially shiftable therein to open andclose said inlet opening, and means to limit the opening movement ofsaid valve member, said valve member being arranged to expand axiallyIupon reduction of the `atnfiospher'c pressure in `.said passageway andclose. said Ainlet opening.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bodymember `having apassageway therethrough for fluid and an-,inlet openinghaving a Valve seat, of a hollow air-filled expansive valvememberdisposed in 4said passageway and axially shiftable therein to openand close said inlet opening, means to limit the opening movement ofsaid valve member, said Valve member being arranged to expand axiallyupon reduction of the atmospheric pressure in said passageway and closesaid inlet opening, and means to lock said valve member in its expandedposition.

11. A container closure having a passageway therethrough, means 'toprovide an air pocket in said closure, means arrangedto be actuated byexpansion of air in said air pocket to close said passageway, and adetent to.1ock said last named means in passageway closing position.

12. A container closure having a passageway therethrough for liquid, anair pocket within said closure, shiftablemeans arranged to be actuatedby expansion of air in said air pocket, means arranged to. close saidpassageway upon actuation of said shiftable means by said air expansion,and .detent means tolock said lastnamed means in closed position.

13. A container closure having a passageway therethrough for liquid, anair pocket within said closure, shiftable means arranged to close offone end of saidair` pocket and to be actuated by expansion of air insaid air pocket, means arranged to close said passageway upon actuationof said shiftable meansv byA said air expansion, and a detent coactingwith said lastnamed means to prevent re-opening of said passageway.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bodymember having a passageway therethrough, of means providing anexpansible air chamber within said body member,

said means comprising associated members arranged to shift relative toeach other upon expansion of airin said air chamber, one of said memberscausing closure of said passageway upon such shifting, a shoulder on oneof said members, and a detent on the other'of said members for engagingsaid shoulder upon relative shifting of said members to lock `saidmembers in shifted position. c v 4 15. In a device of the classdescribed, the combination with a body member having a passagewaytherethrough, `ci? means providing an expansible air chamber withinvsaid body member, said means comprising associated members arranged toshift relative to each other upon expansion of air in said air chamber,one of said members causing closure of said passageway upon suchshifting, a shoulder on one of said members, a laterally resilientdetent on the other of said members for engaging said shoulder uponrelative shifting of said members to lock said members in shiftedposition, and means operable upon shifting of said members to constantlyurge continuation offsuch shifting independently of said aii`expansion.:

16. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bodymember having a passageway therethrough for fluid and lan inlet openinghavingV a valve seat, of a hollow air-filled expansive valvemember-disposed in said passageway and axially shiftable therein to openand l close said inlet opening, said valve member com-

